Laylee grabbed a fistful of his shirt and kissed him hard and fast.“I want you.If you don’t feel the same, tell me now.”
Bray called out, “Anyone here?”
“Just a sec,” Knox replied.
He opened the closest door and stepped inside with Laylee, hoping for a little privacy.“So we’re clear, I’ve wanted you from the first day I saw you, and every day since.That said, I know today was a trial and it’s not over yet.If you’d rather wait, I can wait.”It might kill him, but he’d do it.
“No waiting.”She opened the door and practically shoved him back out.
“What’s the matter?”
“That’s my bedroom and it’s a catastrophe.”
Unable to stop his grin, he leaned around her, peeked inside … Holy smokes, it was a mess.
“Knox!”She pulled the door shut, blocking his view.Under her breath, she muttered, “I planned to clean it soon.”
Perfect Laylee Fairchild wasn’t so perfect after all.To Knox, that made her even more appealing.
Laylee looked at each of the faces of Knox’s friends.There couldn’t be a nicer group of people.She accepted the test Bray offered.“I know you’re all wondering, so how about I just do this now?I mean, if you don’t mind waiting a minute or two to find out—”
“I’lldieif I don’t know tonight,” Lucy said.
Karen leaned into Bray.“I’ll admit I’m awfully curious.”
Bray and Marcus nodded.
Knox turned to her.“You don’t have to do this, you know.”
“Only if you want,” Marcus said.
“We’ll all survive the suspense,” Bray promised.
Funny how they could take a worry and turn it humorous.She gave Knox a hug and said, “Be right back.”Less burdened with the possible outcome, she darted into the bathroom.A minute later, she stuck her head out the door and found everyone clustered together looking back at her.Definitely some funny stuff had gone down tonight, and she couldn’t wait to tell Skye about it when she returned.
In the meantime, she turned to Knox, and he immediatelyunglued his feet and came forward.She pulled him into the bathroom with her, shutting out everyone else.
“I can’t look,” she whispered.
“Want me to do it?”
She nodded and leaned back on the wall, trying to appear casual even though her heart was galloping and her palms were starting to sweat.She stared at Knox while he glanced at the stick.Then at the instruction paper.Then the stick again.
He turned back to her, cupped a hand to her cheek, and said, “You’re not pregnant.”
As her legs turned to noodles, the oddest mix of emotions went through her: extreme relief—but also a touch of disappointment.
Knox bent his knees to look her in the eyes.“Are you happy about this?”
She nodded.“I’m happy.”
“Then I’m happy, too.”
A weird sort of giddy laugh bubbled out of her.“And if I was sad?”
He put his arms around her and held her.“Then I’d offer to help remedy things.”
Searching his gaze, she said, “You … we …”
